Objectives of the Söderköping Process for

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1 ROAD MAP of the Söderköping Process Introduction The Road Map of the Söderköping Process (hereinafter referred to as the Road Map ) provides for a framework within which a coordinating mechanism can further be developed to effectively respond to asylum, migration and border management challenges in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine (furtheron WNIS for Western Newly Independent States), and in the region at large, in close cooperation with Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia. The Road Map is indicative of all the issues and needs articulated by the governmental authorities and NGOs involved in the Söderköping Process throughout and formulates a proposed course of action, aligned with the objectives specified under the Eastern Europe region in the Table of Thematic and Geographical Priorities AENEAS Programme 2004 Support regional dialogue and cooperation initiatives between the countries of the region and the EU countries and the transit countries concerned. The Road Map is particularly aimed at identifying ways in which cross-border management of migration and asylum problems can be identified within the region and ways in which the national migration and asylum systems of WNIS can further be strengthened. Titled as The Söderköping Process, the Process was launched in May 2001 as a proactive initiative to respond to the challenge of EU enlargement eastwards and promote better cooperation on asylum and migration related issues among the countries situated along the future EU eastern border. The 1 May 2004 EU enlargement brought a historical shift for the EU and WNIS in political, geographic and economic terms. Given the aforementioned, the Process, since 2004, has focused on transferring experience of the newly acceded EU Member States and the candidate country to the WNIS in aligning their migration and asylum related legislation, polices and practices with the EU Acquis standards and further networking among the participants with a view to creating an effective and sustainable regional network on asylum- and migration-related issues. The 2004 cluster meetings have confirmed the appropriateness of this approach 1, where participants called for more experience and information-sharing on the standards and practices existing in EU countries. Objectives of the Söderköping Process for The overall objective of the Process would be to tackle through co-operation in asylum, migration and border management issues between WNIS and the neighboring newly acceded EU Member States and the candidate countries., It would also increase the capacity of countries in the region to develop legislation and practices for the establishment of adequate migration management and asylum systems based on international and European standards and rules. Given the principles of ownership over the Process of countries involved, it would be up to the governments of the ten countries to define ways in which the Söderköping Process can ultimately be 1 Please refer to Annexes I and II herein;

2 brought to a political level, involving key policy makers of each of the ten countries, in articulating ways in which binding commitments can be made in a multilateral or bilateral setting. Based on the interests of WNIS the underlying objective of the Process would be to have the ten countries in the region engage in political discussions, and through specific steps, to help the three beneficiary countries transpose specific legal norms and standards into their legislation on asylum, migration and border management. More specifically, the Process would aim to facilitate co-operation between WNIS and neighboring Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia and to provide: Aim Institutional Support Legislative support Network facilitation Regional harmonization Approach as part of a coherent regional strategy, the strengthening of the capacity of national asylum, migration and border systems to deal with asylum, migration and border management related issues with adherence to human rights norms, EU standards and international standards thereby reducing irregular migration; identifying best practices in order to assist the WNIS with aligning their legislation and systems/structures in the field of asylum, migration and border management with EU standards by virtue of transfer of experience of newly acceded EU Member States and the candidate country; facilitating an open structured dialogue with a view to create a regional asylum, migration and border management network; harmonizing good practices in the field of asylum, migration and border management including good practices related to: Prevention of Abuse of Asylum Systems Reception Facilities for Asylum Seekers NGOs and Border Monitoring Practices Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants Judicial Practice in the Field of Irregular Migration Labor Migration, Remittances and Integration. Needs of Beneficiary Countries Overall, the Process is focused on supporting governmental officials, and representatives of NGO s in the field of asylum, migration and border management in WNIS and sharing the knowledge/experience generated by EU Member States/candidate country in asylum and migration management. 2

3 WNIS are transit countries for large-scale irregular migration flows westwards and are confronted with the challenge of establishing modern migration systems that combat irregular migration and provide asylum to refugees. Although WNIS have recently acceded to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, their legislative frameworks and administrative capacities should be further brought in conformity with international standards, including fair and nondiscriminatory access to the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures, reception facilities for asylum seekers, detention facilities for irregular migrants, integration possibilities for recognized refugees. Participation of asylum, migration and border guard officials and NGOs from these countries in the Söderköping Process activities from 2001 through 2004, given EU enlargement involving neighboring Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia, has highlighted the existing disparities in the capacities and practices of the WNIS in the sub-region, and the need for looking into the EU Acquis on migration and asylum and aligning the legislation and administrative practices with EU standards. Among the constraints identified by WNIS within this period, the main remain to be a lack of funding for establishment and maintenance of effective and comprehensive border and migration management systems including strengthened border security; reception facilities for asylum seekers and detention facilities for irregular migrants; the deportation of rejected cases, return of irregular migrants; legislation and policies to prevent/fight against irregular migration, trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants; and the lack of experience and know-how to effectively respond to the challenges of migration in the context of the enlarged EU. These countries have most consistently highlighted the following needs pertaining to the asylum, migration and border management field: Institutional needs Policy needs: o support in formulating comprehensive national migration programmes; o support in setting up integration schemes as part of the comprehensive migration programmes; Capacity building needs: o support in developing national asylum/migration institutions capable of meeting migration challenges and to maintain independence from external support; Procedural needs: o support in developing/aligning with EU standards procedures for functioning of reception facilities for asylum seekers, detention facilities for irregular migrants, and pre-deportation facilities with full observation of human rights, the rights of asylum seekers and migrants; o support in developing procedures for functioning of the individual registration systems, including systems that are shared among several authorities involved, and procedures for sharing the data among respective authorities of the neighbouring counties in the sub-region as part of the effective migration management system; o support in developing pre-procedural counselling, and procedures that ensure access of asylum seekers to the RSD procedure, legal and social advice, as well as to integration schemes as part of the comprehensive migration management strategy that would thereby also tackle the abuse of asylum system; o support in developing procedures for dealing with deportation of rejected cases/unfounded claims, voluntary repatriation and assisted voluntary return of irregular migrants; Training needs: 3

4 o support in developing a common training curriculum for migration, asylum and border guard authorities of the WNIS based on the existing EU curriculum and good practices in the sub-region. Legislative needs o support in streamlining WNIS migration and asylum legislation and aligning it with international and EU standards and obligations; Cooperation needs o support in establishing and maintaining cooperation with governmental and nongovernmental counterparts in the sub-region; Information-related needs o support in regulating labour migration including ensuring access to information on foreign employment and travel opportunities as part of the comprehensive migration management strategy and counter-trafficking efforts; o support in ensuring access to information on migration-related issues. In order to implement the overall and specific objectives and to tailor to the needs of WNIS, the Soderkoping Process will consist of three main components, which will further be elaborated throughout The first component is based on specific themes identified by each of the countries involved in the Process; the second component presents an evaluating and steering mechanism; and the third one fosters sub-regional cooperation among the participants of the process. These components are inter-related and are sub-divided into several activities: Compon ent I. Thematic Meetings: o Theme A. Asylum Management; o Theme B. Role of the Civil Society in the Cross-Border Co-operation Activities; o Theme C. Migration Management; Component II. Annual Senior Level Review Meetings; Component III. Networking on Thematic Issues. All activities will function in a manner whereby countries will maintain ownership of the process and will have an opportunity to evaluate and confirm the relevance of each activity and suggest modifications, if needed. Future Developments of the Söderköping Process In the framework of and through the objectives indicated, WNIS will increase their capacity to develop into safe countries of asylum and align the asylum- and migration-related legislation with EU standards. This will be achieved by virtue of transfer of experience of the newly acceded EU Member States with aligning their legislation, systems/structures and practices with the EU Acquis in the field of asylum, migration and border management to the WNIS, of harmonization of good practices in the sub-region, and of further enhancement of regional and sub-regional networking among the participants of the process. Thus, asylum, migration and border guard authorities and NGOs at the central and regional levels will enhance their cooperation within the Söderköping Process. The transfer of experience to the WNIS and harmonization of good practices in the region related to prevention of abuse of asylum systems reception facilities for asylum seekers; role of NGOs in Cross Border Cooperation; NGOs and border 4

5 monitoring practices; return of rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants; analyses of migration trends in the Eastern and Central Europe; judicial practice in the field of irregular migration and labour migration; remittances and integration will assist the participating countries to improve their national standards and work out common approaches and principles of tackling the above issues in the subregion and thereby contribute to the efficiency of the both national and sub-regional migration management systems. A regional asylum, migration and border management network will be further enhanced and sub- into smaller, thematic-specific discussion groups/networks to allow for a fast and efficient divided response to inquiries for information and experience sharing that may arise. These networks will also contribute to further enhancement of an open structured regional dialogue on asylum, migration and border management issues and harmonization of good practices in the region. Enhanced information exchange, transfer of experience, harmonization of good practices in the region, coordination and networking, improved sub-regional and regional cooperation in the field of asylum, migration and border management will lead to heightened awareness and observance of human rights and EU and international standards when dealing with migration-related challenges. The capacity of national asylum, migration and border management systems of both WNIS and the neighboring EU Member States and the candidate country, strengthened through mutually beneficial transfer of experience, harmonization of good practices, intensified information exchange and networking, will, thereby, contribute to the regulated migration management and reduction of irregular migration in the sub-region. More active involvement of NGOs in the process activities and specific sessions dealing with cooperation between governmental and non-governmental institutions reinforce the role of the civil society played in the migration management processes, and contributes to the harmonisation of practices in the sub-region. The network of experts within the Söderköping Process will be extended and diversified by means of involving new participants and by setting up thematic-specific discussion groups/smaller networks. The experts participating in the networking will further disseminate the received information and expertise within their respective institutions. The sustainability of the Process will be ensured through its activities. More specifically, through the maintenance of an open and structured sub-regional dialogue on asylum, migration and border management issues and further networking whereby the information sharing and transfer of experience will take place, the participating countries will become more active in suggesting responses to the needs expressed by the WNIS and initiating twinning and cross-border cooperation projects with the EC and other donor organizations funding. The Process sustainability will also be ensured through the continuous cooperation among the target institutions involved as the key players in the field of asylum, migration and border management. The local ownership of the Söderköping Process outcome will be ensured at two levels: level of experts who will be participating in the formulation of the content of the thematic meetings, act as experts in the networking process and participate in filling in the website and level of senior officials participating in the annual review meetings which will function as a steering and evaluating mechanism for the process and at which the countries will identify the priorities and perspectives of the process further development. Through its range of activities, the Process will contribute to sustainable cooperation in asylum, migration an border management issues between WNIS and the neighboring EU Member States and the candidate country; strengthened national capacity of the beneficiary countries to develop into safe countries of asylum; enhanced national capacity of the beneficiary countries to ensure border security, combat irregular migration and trafficking, and regularize migration flows; the open and structured dialogue between WNIS and the neighboring EU Member States and the candidate country; improved legislative and administrative standards and practices in line with the EU and international requirements; harmonization of good practices in the region and working out common principles of 5

6 providing timely and effective response to migration-related challenges in the sub-region; strengthened networks on asylum, migration and border management issues. In the long run, the Process will contribute to the regularization of migration flows and reduced irregular migration and abuse of asylum systems both in the sub-region, and in the EU. Implementation of Söderköping Process Activities In the interests of addressing the needs of WNIS and the objectives of the Process at large, the following three components are to be implemented in the course of , subject to funding. The first component is based on specific themes identified by the countries involved in the Process in the course of 2003/2004; the second component presents an evaluating and steering mechanism; and the third one fosters sub-regional cooperation among the participants of the process. These components are inter-related and are sub-divided into several activities: Component I. Thematic Meetings: Theme A. Asylum Management; Theme B. Role of the Civil Society in the Cross-Border Co-operation Activities; Theme C. Migration Management; Thematic meetings will focus on the EU Acquis on migration and asylum, transfer of experience of the newly acceded EU Member States and the candidate country to the WNIS, and further networking among the asylum, migration and border guard officials and NGOs in the sub-region, and will be tailored to the needs and concerns expressed by the participants from the ten countries. To give the process a new dimension and allow the participants at expert level to meeting their counterparts from all the ten countries, the thematic meetings will be offered for asylum, migration and border guard officials and NGO representatives from all the participating countries, limited, however to three representatives per country (two government officials and one NGO representative). Component II. Annual Senior Level Review Meetings; The annual review meeting will function as a steering and evaluating mechanism of the process, thereby involving all main stake holders in the process, contributing to a feeling of ownership, and ensuring the suggestions made within the process are anchored in political realities and priorities and result in solutions of real problems. There will be three annual review meetings of senior asylum, migration and border guard officials, to review, and, if required, to set new directions/priorities for the process, and to monitor the progress. The meetings will: Provide overview of the legislative and administrative developments in the field of asylum, migration and border management in their respective countries; Report on the progress reached in the implementation of suggestions of the previous meetings held; Review the relevance of the activities for the period until the next Senior Level Review Meeting; Evaluate the activities of the Secretariat as a coordination and resource centre for the process; Set priorities that need to be tackled within the process. Component III. Networking on Thematic Issues. 6

7 To provide for a forum for ad hoc discussions and follow-up on some thematic meetings, the network of experts will further maintained, inter alia, by establishing smaller and more thematic-specific discussion groups within and in addition to the existing network. The network will be maintained through the website and by virtue of requesting the experts to give their feedback to specific questions, provide their expertise/deliver presentations on thematic issues, and further distribute information provided to them by the Secretariat. The experts will be expected to mainta in contacts within their discussion groups and make suggestions for some follow-up activities/joint operations, which could possibly lead to small-scale cross-border projects. Wit hin the network, the experts/focal points: provide responses to inquiries from colleagues in other Söderköping Process countries; receive from the Secretariat and further disseminate, if deemed appropriate, information related the Söderköping Process and developments in the participating countries; participate as experts in training activities undertaken within the Söderköping Process. In addition and within the existing network, there will be the following thematic discussion groups established and maintained throughout the project implementation period: Network of experts on sharing of asylum-related data, including data on registration and COI; Network of experts on NGOs cross-border cooperation; Network of experts on border-monitoring practices; Network of experts on migration-related analyses, including smuggling issues; Network of experts on judicial practice. Commitments under the Söderköping Process If this is identified to be in the best interests of WNIS, as well as mutually beneficial to all countries involved in the Process, the Söderköping Process may be ultimately brought to a political level, involving key policy makers of each of the ten countries, in articulating ways in which political and/or legally binding commitments can be made between countries involved, both in a multilateral or bilatera l setting. Possible areas in which commitments can be made are: Binding commitments to align core curriculum for training of border guards in WNIS with EU standards; Creation of a central data-base for asylum seekers and refugees in WNIS using the systems in place in EU Member States/Candidate Country; Establishment of a system for electronic information exchange on asylum matters between WNIS and between WNIS and EU Member States/Candidate Country; Linking members to facilitate the establishment of adequate reception conditions; Establishment of a format of exchange and sharing of available migration data among WNIS and between WNIS and EU Member States/Candidate Country; Creation of a catalogue of best practices relevant to border guards in WNIS and make them binding; The drafting and signing of a Memorandum/Agreement on the Söderköping Process, between the ten countries involved in the process, would serve as an instrument by virtue of which each country would make specific commitments as to its involvement in the process, and define clear priorities and areas for co-operation. Such an initiative can be raised by any of the ten countries or partner organizations, and discussed and further endorsed by the respective governments of the countries involved. 7

8 ANNEX I C entral and Southern Cluster Meeting Budapest, October 2004 Suggestions for Follow-up Activities Exchange of Experience 1. Exchange of experience in the form of organizing thematic workshops and study visits/on-job training on the existing in the new EU Member States and the candidate country standards and procedures related to: 1.1. reception of asylum seekers and reception facilities; 1.2. detention centers; 1.3. admissibility procedures and pre-procedural counseling as a potential tool to prevent abuse of asylum systems; 1.4. systems of individual registration: timely access to data; creation and use of an integrated database; data protection in the context of shared registration systems (types of data to be protected); 1.5. country of origin information (COI) in the context of RSD procedure; 1.6. border monitoring; 1.7. judicial practice in the framework of multilateral co-operation; 1.8. migrant information centres; 1.9. labour migration. o The Secretariat will approach the asylum, migration and border guard authorities in WNIS to identify the priorities among the aforementioned themes. o Based on the outcome, the Secretariat will approach other participating countries (those where the relevant experience is available) with a request to provide it with sufficient information on the existing experience and possible suggestions as to hosting a study visit/thematic workshop or sending a team of experts to one of the countries to provide on-job training. o The results will be presented to the authorities of WNIS in a form of a paper or comparative overview of existing standards and practices, if applicable, with a view to jointly elaborate plans for exchange of experience through study visits/thematic workshops/on-job training, providing there is funding available (Slovakia offered study visits for Moldovan and Ukrainian experts on COI issues; Hungary offered its experience in the field of reception of asylum seekers, including COI and interviewing technics). o Those issues that will remain uncovered during the implementation period of the current project due to time and/or funding constrains could be further elaborated to take shape of concrete activities/small projects to be presented to the Senior Level Review Meeting in April next year for endorsement and carrying out within the next project. 2. More detailed information on the new EU Member States and the candidate country experience with setting up registration systems in line with EU requirements is needed with a view to work out a harmonised approach to the sharing of data among the Söderköping process countries. o The Secretariat will approach the Söderköping process countries with a request to provide it with detailed information on their existing registration systems, practices of sharing and redistributing information, legislative frameworks for ensuring proper data protection. 8

9 o o o An overview of good practices available in the region will be presented to the participating countries with a view to identify the remaining gaps in WNIS and see where the relevant expertise is available. Based on the outcome, the Secretariat may approach the relevant authorities as to their wiliness and readiness to share their expertise. If the idea is supported by the participating countries, the Secretariat will develop some small activities within the Söderköping process and will bring it up to the Senior Level Review Meeting for endorsement and further implementation. 3. Co-operation among authorities and NGOs needs to be looked into. o The Secretariat will approach the Söderköping process countries with a request to provide it with detailed information on how co-operation among authorities and NGOs in the field of asylum, migration and border management is regulated/institutionalised (Memorandums of Understanding, special agreements, etc.) and how governments support NGOs active in this field. The authorities will also be asked to share their expectations from NGOs. o An overview of good practices available in the region will be presented to the participating countries. o Based on the outcome of this paper, the Secretariat could suggest some successful schemes of co-operation with the civil society and will bring to the attention of NGOs what role is expected from them. The decision on looking into common criteria for cooperation among authorities and NGOs and on regulating/institutionalizing this kind of co-operation remains, however, at each country s discretion. Information Sharing 1. Though there was a suggestion made to extend ACCORD services to WNIS, its services remain paid. A regional COI center could be launched, however this activity would require external fundin g. With each country having national COI resources, a COI network could be set up to intensify sharing information in this field. o The Secretariat will approach the participating countries with a request to provide it with detailed information on set up of COI units and a focal point/s, including contact details and specific areas of expertise, who could serve as a COI expert within the Söderköping process. o Based on the outcome, the Secretariat will set up a thematic, COI, group within its network of experts. o The list of COI focal points will be shared with all countries and will be placed on the website (for registered users). o The Secretariat will also make a suggestion as to having a meeting of this expert group within the next project implementation period. Future Co-Operation Within The Söderköping Process 1. The participating countries suggested that the Söderköping process should: 1.1. have a more thematic approach; 1.2. have specific sessions for NGOs; o Based on the countries priorities the Secretariat will make respective suggestion for the next project period. The new EU Member States will, however, be expected to contribute to organising and funding such activities, as study visits and exchange of experts. 9

10 ANNEX II Northern Cluster Meeting Minsk, 9-10 September 2004 Suggestions for Follow-up Activities Exchange of Experience 1. Exchange of experience in the form of providing comprehensive information and organising study visits/seminars on the existing in the new EU Member States standards and procedures related to: 1.1. detention centres; 1.2. reception centres; 1.3. expulsion of illegal migrants; 1.4. dealing with undocumented migrants; 1.5. forged documents; 1.6. data protection in the context of comprehensive systems of individual registration; 1.7. judicial practice in the field of illegal migration. 2. More detailed information on the Baltic countries experience is needed on: 2.1. the Baltic Committee on Migration and Border Management issues; 2.2. activities of the Lithuanian aliens registration centre in the field of exchange of smugglingrelated information and carrying out migration-related analyses. o The Secretariat will approach the Baltic countries with a request to provide it with comprehensive information on the Baltic Committee (Estonia) and on the activities of the aliens registration centre (Lithuania). o The Secretariat will present the provided information to the migration and border guard authorities in WNIS with a view to share information on good practices existing in the region and to seek their opinion as to the relevance of replicating this experience for them. o Based on the outcome of the initial discussions, the Secretariat may approach the relevant authorities in Estonia and Lithuania as to their capacities and readiness to share their experience. o If the idea is supported by the participating countries, the Secretariat will develop two small projects/activities to take place within the Söderköping process and will bring it up to the Senior Level Review Meeting for endorsement and further implementation. 3. Activities of the information exchange centre at the Polish-Lithuanian border needs to be looked into as an example of bilateral activities that could be replicated at, e.g. Polish-Ukrainian border (as suggested by Poland) and offered to other participating countries. o The Secretariat will approach Polish authorities with a request to provide it with exhaustive information on the set up and activities of such a centre. o The Secretariat will present the information to the respective Ukrainian authorities with a view to seek their opinion as to the relevance of such an initiative for Ukraine. o Provided the outcome is positive, the Secretariat will facilitate communication between Polish and Ukrainian colleagues on the matter, as actual set up of the centre will go beyond the Secretariat s mandate and capacities. Upon their mutual consent, Ukraine and Poland could present the outcome of their bilateral discussions in the course of a thematic activity. 10

11 Information Sharing 1. Identification of specific areas for information sharing and designation of focal points. o The Secretariat will approach the participating countries with a request to provide it with a list of areas/issues that need more extensive information sharing. o The Secretariat will also request the participating countries either to confirm the availability of the focal points designated before or to designate other officials to be responsible for sharing information on specific topic and for verifying, if needed. o Based on the outcome, the Secretariat will review the existing list of focal points (network of experts) to make it more thematic-specific or will form thematic discussion groups. o The Secretariat shall remain a useful mechanism for exchange of information and should be utilised by the participating countries as such. o With the launching of a website by the end of October this year, the Secretariat should look into possibilities of making it interactive to allow the participating countries to make full use of it as an information-sharing mechanism. o The effectiveness of the suggested scheme can be later assessed by the participating countries and suggestions to improvements presented to the Senior Level Review Meeting for endorsement. 2. A catalogue of the agencies participating in the Söderköping process, including their structures, focal points and contact details. o The Secretariat will approach the participating countries with a request to provide it with a brief overview of their activities, their organisational charts, names and contact details of the officials within each sub-division and department with a brief description of their main areas of responsibilities. o Based on the information obtained, the Secretariat will prepare a draft reference book. o The draft book will be sent to all those who provided the information earlier for clearance. o After publication, the reference book will be distributed to all the participants and focal points of the process. o A similar book in the electronic format will also be placed on the website. Joint Operations 1. Setting up of a risk analyses sub-group on certain issues, e.g. latest techniques of forging documents, smuggling and trafficking routes, apprehension at particular check-points with a view to suggest some joint operations based on the outcome of the analyses. o The Secretariat will approach the countries with a request to provide it with their positions as to the relevance of such an idea, possible priority topics for such a risk-analyses and readiness to mandate certain individuals in their respective agencies to dedicate time to work in such a group. o The Secretariat will also request the participating countries to share with it their experience with those joint operations that already take place between the neighbouring countries. o Based on the outcome, the Secretariat will be able to elaborate some suggestions for setting up risk-analyses sub-groups within the Söderköping process and present it to the Senior Level Review Meeting for endorsement. 11

12 ANNEX III CATALOGUE OF IDEAS FOR JOINT ACTIONS UNDER THE SÖDERKÖPING PROCESS (2003/2004) No Issues where joint actions are needed Measures to be undertaken Experience to be used (commitments from the countries necessary) 1. Establishment of information/registration systems of foreigners allowing for proper analysis and management of migration flows 2. Introduction of alternative status for persons who do not qualify as 1951 Convention refugees, but are nevertheless in need of international protection, including applicable social guarantees 3. Setting up reception centres for asylum seekers and accommodation/detention centres for irregular migrants (legal regulation, management of centres, including the standards of treatment for detention of illegal migrants) 4. Addressing situation of vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers and refugees 1. Assessment of existing information registration systems in the countries on migration, asylum and border guard data; 2. Drafting of guiding principles for the concept of the system on the basis of analysis in the three countries; 3. Drafting project proposal for funding (possibly EC). 1. Presentation of good practices on the issue in CBCP countries; 2. Assistance in drafting legislation in the three countries and improving legislation in others. 1. Presentation of good practices on the issue in other countries; 2. Assistance in drafting legislation in the three countries and improving legislation in others. 1. Sharing information on existing projects in CBCP countries; 2. Elaboration of Action Plan in each country in this field. Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Sweden IOM experience in implementing project initiative in Ukraine on exchange of data Lithuania, Poland Lithuania, Hungary IOM Kiev Information available at IOM Technical Cooperation Centre (TCC) in Vienna to be used Hungary - pilot project on prevention of sexual and gender based violence For treatment of separated children the outcome and experience accumulated, including the availability of trainers in Central European and the Baltic States under the SCEP Poland, Lithuania with regard to setting legal framework 12

13 5. Access of NGOs to asylum seekers and migrants 6. Development of voluntary return programmes for migrants and rejected asylum seekers (for all CBCP countries) 7. Integration of refugees and other persons in need of protection (with particular focus on employment issues) ROAD MAP OF THE SODERKOPING PROCESS 1. Share Slovak and Hungarian experience; 2. Workshops for NGOs and border guards of the sub-region during 2004; 3. Possibly round tables organised by UNHCR in the countries where problems mostly occur. 1. Sharing of experience on existing programmes; 2. Possibly thematic workshop with practical aims for all CBCP countries in ** 1. The issue to be addressed in the form of a workshop for experience exchange among the CBCP countries during The Slovak Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland IOM experience Sweden, other EU Member States Poland, Lithuania 8. Legal and practical solutions for illegal migrants and rejected asylum seekers who cannot be deported (for all CBCP countries) 9. Introduction of institutionalised border guard training on asylum and migration management issues 10. Establishment of mechanism for sharing country of origin information (COI) 1. Sharing of information on existing experience in CBCP countries; 2. Improvements in legislation and implementing acts in the CBCP countries. 1. Provide information on the activities of IOM and UNHCR in Border Guard training schools; Explore the possibilities of linking the COI services in the EU member or acceding states with WNIS; 2. Explore the possibilities of creating pilot projects for using ACCORD COI service for the three countries. Lithuania, Poland Acceding countries that took part in the European initiative, Sweden, Austria IOM/UNHCR experience in training border guards EU Acceding countries, interested EU Member States ACCORD regional project (Austria) 11. Development of concept of dealing with labour migration (acute for all CBCP countries) 12. Establishment of a special fund for exchange visits between CBCP countries 1. Sharing of information on existing good practice; 2. Revision of legislation and implementing acts in CBCP countries. 1. Discuss and agree during Söderköping conference; 2. Approve on national level in CBCP countries. IOM experience and available information EU Member States EU practice to a certain extent 13